HOMEBUYERS FOLLOWING INVESTOR FOOTSTEPS

31st January 2007

Property experts predict 2007 will see a strengthening of a trend that's seeing owner-occupiers following in the footsteps of experienced property investors, by teaming up with professional buyers' agents to help relieve the uncertainty of the market.

Property Wizards Buyers' Agency managing director Liz Sterzel said as the Perth property market moved to normalise the number of owner-occupiers seeking the hand of buying experts would rise.

"Using a buyer's agent was once mostly the domain of property investors, but we have witnessed a growing number of owner-occupiers taking up the trend and with a degree of uncertainty plaguing home buyers this year, it's an area that's tipped to grow strongly," said Ms Sterzel.

"More than ever home buyers say they're realising what a huge investment buying a home is - and it's a move they feel is too risky for them to make alone given recent high growth in property prices.

"They are making the most of the benefits an expert can bring, including an unemotional view of the property to help them make the best decision."

Ms Sterzel said in the current market home buyers were realising they could not afford to buy a property that simply met their living needs.

"In the past, many homebuyers bought a home simply because they liked the look, feel or location - now buyers realise the massive financial advantage of a property which offers strong growth as well as lifestyle comforts - and that's what we deliver to them," she said.

"On average, property values in Perth will double every seven to ten years, and considering most home owners will sell after around seven years, there is great potential to secure your family's future with a smart investment."

Ms Sterzel said owner-occupiers who used agents had access to key expertise and a wider choice of properties via the agent's network, which included silent listings not yet advertised.

"Just as real estate agents act on behalf of a seller, buyers' agents work exclusively for the buyer and search through thousands of homes for the property with the best capital growth potential, that meets their needs," she said.

Ms Sterzel said buyers' agents regularly pick up properties priced under market value and that private buyers representing themselves should be extremely cautious when it came to settling on a price.

"We recently prepared the offer for a private buyer who had found their perfect property, but unfortunately they decided to take on price negotiations themselves and ended up paying too much - around $100,000 above the property's market value, which could have been avoided with thorough research," she said.

"We take any uncertainty and leg work out of the equation; we locate suitable properties for the client to view, negotiate the price, carry out due diligence to protect the buyer and secure the best deal possible."

For more information, please contact
Mr Trevor Dunkley
Director
Property Wizards
trevor@propertywizards.com.au
Tel: (08) 9381 7450